FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to hair styling devices and methods of shaping and styling hair. The invention has been developed for creating a flat curl in hair, and will be described primarily in this context. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to these particular fields of use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following discussion of the prior art is intended to place the invention in an appropriate technical context and to enable the advantages of it to be properly understood. However, any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

Hair may be permanently or temporarily styled by many different methods. Permanent styling of hair refers to the deformation of hair, typically achieved by breaking the disulfide bonds in the hair and reforming them in the desired configuration. Temporary styling of hair is generally accomplished by applying styling compositions, such as hairspray, mousse or hair gel, and arranging the hair as desired. Curlers, roller, hairpins and the like are common devices used in both permanent and temporary styling of hair.

It is a common practice in hairdressing to curl a person's hair to change the appearance of the hair. Traditionally, curls or waves are created in the hair by the use of round rollers or hot round tongs. The use of such devices typically creates round curls having substantial width and body. Styles incorporating such curls are currently considered to be old-fashioned.

The flat curl, as distinguished from a tubular or cylindrical form of curl by its elongate ovoid cross section, has emerged as a popular trend in more modern styles of hairdressing. The traditional approach to achieve a flat curl is to pin-curl-set hair. In this approach, flat curls are formed by free winding strands of hair into a spiral formation until the entire length of hair has been wound, securing the hair with a clip or hairpin and holding the hair until the curl is set into shape. This approach is necessarily very time costly.

It is also possible to create flat curls using both metal and ceramic straightening irons. In this method, hair is wrapped around the hot barrel of the straightening iron and heated for a short period. The wound and heated hair is then unwound from the barrel, reformed into a wound spiral configuration and secured with a clip or pin until the hair cools, forming the desired flat curl. This method is difficult to perform and requires the application of a specific technique that is difficult to execute, even by experienced hairdressers. It is common for curls and waves produced by this method to be inconsistent in size, shape and orientation relative to the person's head. Additionally, this method requires the application of a number of different steps, which is necessarily time consuming.

Curls may also be created using electric hot metal or ceramic tongs or alternatively by using an electric hot brush. When using these devices, hair is wrapped around the circular barrel of the tongs or brush and heated for a short period of time. The hair is then removed from the barrel and secured with a clip or pin. This method necessarily adds width and body to the curl, typically resulting in an old-fashioned hairstyle. Additionally, this method is difficult to perform and will often only produce a satisfactory result when implemented by a professional hairdresser.

Crimping irons may also be used to shape the hair. This is done by progressively clamping the electric hot crimping irons across each section of hair, moving from the roots to the ends of the hair. This method is necessarily time consuming and produces a relatively harsh zigzag texture to the hair surface. Crimping irons are typically not well suited to forming soft curls or waves in hair.

Currently available hair rollers typically produce round or cylindrical curls having substantial width and body. Curls or waves are set by leaving the rollers in place for a prolonged period of time until the hair is formed into shape, either by blow drying or by natural drying of the hair. This is a necessarily inefficient and time consuming process. In addition, the hair rollers do not allow the use of straightening irons to quickly and efficiently heat the hair to form it into shape. Permanent curling of hair may be performed using perm rollers. Perm rollers are applied to hold the hair in place before the hair is restructured into the desired configuration using a perming solution. The rollers are an essential part of the perming process and are used to ensure that the hair is fixed in position while the perming solution takes effect. However, styles produced by perming hair are often viewed as being old-fashioned, typically due to the width and body of the curls produced by this method.

It is an object of the present invention, at least in one embodiment, to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a hair shaping device including: an elongate body including: a pair of spaced apart, substantially planar, oppositely outwardly directed surfaces, each surface including a peripheral edge; and at least one curved web portion extending between the pair of surfaces to interconnect the surfaces along at least part of the respective peripheral edges thereof; and the hair shaping device further including a hair retaining means releasably engageable with the body, wherein filaments of hair are wound around and progressively along the body to form a spiral and the retaining means is engaged with the body to secure the wound hair to the body thereby to form the hair into shaped curls.

It will be appreciated that the formation of the hair into shaped curls may be permanent, semi-permanent or temporary, depending upon the hair styling process applied to fix the hair into shape.

The surfaces of the body are preferably closely spaced, providing the body of the device with a generally planar configuration. This advantageously facilitates use of the device with heating devices such as straightening irons. The generally planar configuration also allows the formation of a flatter curl.

The pair of surfaces are preferably substantially parallel to one another. This orientation advantageously facilitates the application of a straightening iron to the device via clamped insertion of the device between the heating plates of the straightening iron. In other embodiments, the pair of surfaces may be inclined relative to one another. Advantageously, a straightening iron may also be applied to the device having corresponding relatively inclined surfaces.

Preferably, the web portion extends continuously around the peripheral edge of each surface to interconnect the respective peripheral edges of the surfaces. The web portion may range from rounded-V-shaped in cross-sectional profile to substantially C- shaped in cross sectional profile. Advantageously, the configuration of the resulting shaped curl corresponds to the curvature of the web portion. Advantageously, the curved web portions created a soft curl line in the shaped hair, with no sharp kinks being formed. Preferably, the shaped curl is a flat curl, as distinguished from a tubular or cylindrical curl.

The surfaces are preferably substantially identical in shape. Each surface preferably has a symmetrical shape. Advantageously, where the device is laterally symmetrical, hair is able to wound around either end of the body.

Preferably, the body includes an elongate stem portion and a curvilinearly extending end portion at one end of the stem portion, wherein the filaments of hair are wound around and progressively along at least the curvilinearly extending end portion. The device preferably includes a handle portion at the other end of the stem portion. The hair may also be wound around and along at least part of the stem portion. In this embodiment, the other end of the stem is usable as a handle.

More preferably, the body includes a pair of the curvilinearly extending end portions, each end portion being located at a respective end of the elongate stem portion.

The surfaces are preferably substantially hourglass in shape. In this embodiment, the filaments of hair are wound around and progressively along one of the end portions and the other end portion is usable as a handle. It will be appreciated that the hair may advantageously be wound around either end portion. The hair may also be wound around and along at least part of the elongate stem portion.

The stem portion is preferably of narrower width than the end portion. The surfaces preferably diverge at the stem portion. This divergence slightly increases the height of the stem portion relative to the end portion. In preferred embodiments, the body has an elliptical cross-section at the stem portion. This advantageously reduces the formation of sharp kinks in the hair wound around the narrower stem portion.

The hair retaining means preferably includes a strap releasably mountable to the body for securing wound filaments of hair to the body. This strap may include a resilient portion, however, the strap is preferably formed entirely from a resilient material. Preferably, the body includes a pair of hook portions. The strap is preferably releasably engageable with the hook portions for releasably securing the wound hair to the body. Preferably, the hook portions are located at respective ends of the body such that the engaged strap extends substantially longitudinally across one of the surfaces. It will be appreciated that any other suitable hair retaining means may be used, such as, for example, clips, bands, clamps or pins.

Preferably, the body and the hair retaining means are formed substantially from a heat resistant material. The body and the retaining means are preferably formed substantially from Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene plastic resin for withstanding high temperature. In some embodiments, at least part of the body is perforated to facilitate heat penetration through the wound hair. In other embodiments, the body is solid or hollow.

Preferably, the hair shaping device is usable with any one of the following hair styling items: colouring foils, perm papers, material, styling products and paper.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of shaping hair by applying a device according to the first aspect, the method including the steps of: selecting a plurality of filaments of hair to be shaped; winding the plurality of hair filaments around and progressively along the body to form a spiral; engaging the hair retaining means with the body to secure the wound filaments of hair to the body; setting the hair into shape; simultaneously maintaining the filaments of hair around the body until the hair is set; releasing the hair retaining means; and unwinding the filaments of hair from the body.

Advantageously, the filaments of hair may be wet or dry prior to the step of setting the hair.

In some embodiments, the step of setting the hair includes leaving the hair filaments wound around the body for a prolonged period of time. Preferably, the prolonged period of time is overnight.

In other embodiments, the step of setting the hair includes applying heat to the hair. The step of setting the hair preferably includes allowing the hair to cool down after the application of heat to the hair. It may take from 5 to 45 minutes for the hair to cool.

Preferably, the step of setting the hair includes blowing heated air onto the wound filaments of hair. Heated air may be blown using any one of a hair dryer, blow dryer, heat cap or hair diffuser, for example. The filaments of hair are preferably wet prior to this step and dried during this step.

Alternatively, a heating device having a pair of opposable heating plates is used to apply heat to the wound filaments of hair and the step of setting the hair includes the additional steps of: locating the heating plates on opposite sides of the wound filaments of hair; bringing the plates into direct engagement with the wound filaments of hair such that heat is directly applied to the hair; disengaging the plates from the wound filaments of hair; and allowing the hair to cool.

The heating device is preferably selected from any one of straightening irons, tongs, styling irons, crimping irons, metal tongs, metal styling irons, metal crimping irons, ceramic straightening irons, ceramic tongs, ceramic styling irons and ceramic crimping irons.

Preferably, the heating plates apply direct heat to the hair for between 3 and 5 seconds. Preferably, the hair is allowed to cool for a time period of between 5 and 45 minutes.

Preferably, the method includes the additional step of spraying the hair with a thermal protector prior to heating the hair. This step preferably occurs prior to winding the hair around the body of the device. However, it may also be performed immediately prior to the application of heat to the hair.

Preferably, a finishing product, such as wax, shine spray or hairspray, is applied to the hair. The finishing product is preferably applied after the filaments of hair are unwound from the body of the device.

In still further embodiments, the step of setting the hair includes the steps of: applying a setting solution to the wound filaments of hair; processing the solution to set the hair; and removing the setting solution from the hair.

Preferably, the setting solution is removed by rinsing the hair with water. The setting solution may be a chemical solution or a non-chemical solution. The hair may be permanently or semi-permanently set into shape.

Preferably, the filaments of hair to be shaped are on the head of a person.

Preferably, the method is repeated until all of the filaments of hair on the head have been shaped. The filaments of hair may be wound in either direction around the body of the device relative to the head.

Preferably, upon completion of winding the filaments of hair, the device is placed relative to the head in the anatomical position such that the filaments project in a predetermined angle from the skin. In some embodiments, the device is placed in a vertical orientation relative to the head. This advantageously creates shaped curls having minimum body. In other embodiments, the device is placed in a horizontal orientation relative to the head. This may advantageously be used to create shaped curls having maximum body. In still further embodiments, the device is placed in a diagonal orientation relative to the head. This advantageously creates shaped curls having medium body.

The filaments of hair may be wound around the body from the tips of the filaments towards the roots of the filaments. In some embodiments, the hair is wound from the tips to the middle of the filaments. In other embodiments, the entire length of hair is wound around the body of the device. Alternatively, the filaments of hair may be wound around the body from the roots of the filaments towards the tips of the filaments.

In some embodiments, the entire length of hair is wound around the body. In other embodiments the tips of the filaments are not wound around the body.

The device may be used in a similar manner to a roller, a permanent wave roller a semi permanent wave roller, or a perming roller. The device may be used for permanent waving, adding permanent movement to hair, adding texture to hair, creating shape, creating curls or for changing the surface of the hair. The method may be performed in combination with any one of the following hair styling items: colouring foils, perm papers, materials, styling products, or paper.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the body of a hair shaping device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the body shown in figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the body shown in figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is an enlarged side view of a hook portion of the device shown in figure 3; Figure 5 is an end view of the body shown in figure 1 ;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a hair retaining means releasably engageable with the body shown in figure 1 ;

Figure 7 is a plan view of the hair retaining means of figure 6; Figure 8 is a side view of the hair retaining means of figure 6;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the hair retaining means of figure 6 shown aligned with the hook portions of the body shown in figure 1 ;

Figures 10 to 12 show a series of perspective views of the hair shaping device being used to wind hair in a vertical configuration;

Figure 13 shows a perspective view of a human head with a number of the hair shaping devices wound in a vertical configuration;

Figure 14 is a view similar to figure 13, showing a number of the hair shaping devices wound in a horizontal configuration; and Figure 15 is a view similar to figure 13, showing a number of the hair shaping devices wound in a diagonal configuration.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring initially to figures 1 to 9, the invention provides a hair shaping device 1 including an elongate body 2 of generally planar configuration having a pair of substantially identical, spaced apart, substantially planar, oppositely outwardly directed, surfaces 3,4. The body includes a pair of curvilinear Iy extending end portions 5,6 each located at respective ends of an elongate stem portion 7, to form a symmetrical hourglass shape. In the embodiment shown, the surfaces 3,4 are closely spaced and parallel to one another, providing the body 2 with a generally planar configuration. However, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the pair of surfaces may be inclined relative to one another.

It will be understood that the contour lines shown in the figures are merely representative of the shape of the device and do not indicate that markings exist on the surface of the device.

Each surface 3,4 includes a peripheral edge and a curved web portion 8 extends continuously around the peripheral 9 of each surface and between the surfaces 3,4 to interconnect the respective peripheral edges of the surfaces. In other embodiments, the web portion may interconnect the surfaces along only a portion of the peripheral edges, for example, along the respective longitudinal edges of the surfaces. In the drawings, the web portion 8 is rounded-V-shaped in cross sectional profile. However, in other embodiments, the web portion may be C-shaped or have a different curved profile. In still further embodiments, the cross section profile of the web portion may vary along the peripheral edge of each surface.

The device 1 also includes a hair retaining means, in the form of an elongate strap 10, having a pair of apertures 11,12 located at respective ends of the strap. The apertures are each releasably engageable with a respective one of a pair of hook portions 13,14 disposed at respective ends of the body 2. The strap 10 may include a resilient portion. This resilient portion may be located at one or both ends of the strap. Alternatively, the resilient portion may be located intermediate the ends of the strap. In preferred embodiments, the strap 10 is formed entirely from a resilient material.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the strap extends longitudinally across one of the surfaces 3 when the strap is engaged with the body. It will be appreciated that the strap may be engaged to extend across either surface 3,4. It will also be appreciated that the hair retaining means may be in any suitable form. For example, in some embodiments, the hair retaining means is preferably a continuous resilient band (not shown), releasably engageable with the hook portions 13,14. In other embodiments, the hair retaining means may be a clip or a pin, releasably engageable with the body 2 to secure the wound hair to the body.

Referring now to figures 10 to 15, the invention also provides a method of shaping hair into a shaped curl or wave by the application of the hair shaping device 1 shown in figures 1 to 9.

To shape the hair 15, the user selects a plurality of filaments 16 of hair to be shaped. The selected hair may advantageously be wet or dry. The selected filaments 16 are then wound around and progressively along one of the end portions 5 to form a spiral, as shown in figure 10. The hair may also be wound around and along the stem portion 7, while the other end portion 6 can be used as a handle. The hair retaining means 10 is engaged with the body 2 to secure the wound filaments of hair to the body. In the embodiment shown, the hair retaining means is engaged with the body by first looping one aperture 11 of the resilient strap 10 over one of the hook portions 13 of the body 2. The strap 10 is then stretched across the body and the other aperture 12 looped over the other hook portion 14, thereby to secure the strap and retain the wound hair.

It will be appreciated that in other embodiments (not shown), the body 2 may include only one curvilinearly extending end portion 5 located at one end of the stem portion 7. In these alternative embodiments, the filaments 16 of hair are wound around and progressively along the curvilinearly extending end portion 5 and may also be wound around and along at least part of the stem portion 7. In these embodiments, the other end of the stem is usable as a handle.

Once the hair has been secured, it is then set into shape using any suitable hair setting technique, some of which are described below. The filaments 16 of hair are simultaneously maintained in position around the body until the hair has been set into shape. After the hair has been set, the user releases the strap 10 from the body 2 by disengaging the apertures 11,12 from the hook portions 13,14 and unwinds the shaped filaments 16 of hair from the device 1. The shaped hair may then be styled as required. Such styling may include the application of a finishing product, such as wax, shine spray or hairspray, to the hair after the filaments of hair are unwound from the body 2 of the device. The configuration of the resulting shaped curl typically corresponds to the curvature of the web portion. In this embodiment, the curled shape of the web portion 8 advantageously creates a soft curl line in the shaped hair, with no sharp kinks being formed. In the embodiment shown, the surfaces 3,4 diverge at the stem portion 7 and each surface includes a pair of oppositely inclined portions 17. The body 2 has a substantially elliptical cross section at the stem portion. This configuration advantageously increases the curvature of the formed shape and reduces the formation of sharp kinks in the hair wound around the narrower stem portion.

The curved substantially hourglass shape of the device 1 also advantageously facilitates the creation of a soft curved line in the shaped hair. The diameter of the wound spiral of hair 16 reduces along the tapered body 2 of the device 1. The substantially hourglass shape of the device thus allows the hair 16 to form into curls of progressively smaller size along the length of the hair filament.

It will be appreciated that the size of the device and the shape of its cross sectional profile will affect the resulting shape formed in the hair. Thus the shape and configuration of the hair shaping device may advantageously be selected depending upon the hair shape desired.

A number of hair setting techniques suitable for use with the hair shaping device and method are described below. However, it will be appreciated that the techniques described are by way of example only and that other hair setting techniques may also be used.

One technique for setting the hair may include leaving the hair filaments 16 wound around the body of the device 1 for a prolonged period of time and preferably overnight, as typically used with traditional rollers. The smooth, planar configuration of the body 2 advantageously makes the hair shaping device 1 comfortable to sleep with.

The hair may also be set by heating and then cooling the hair before unwinding the hair filaments from the device. The hair will typically be left for between 5 to 45 minutes to allow the hair to completely cool. If desired, the hair can be sprayed with a thermal protector prior to heating the hair.

To facilitate the use of heat to set the hair, the body 2 and the strap 10 are formed from a heat resistant material, such as Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene plastic resin. This material is advantageously able to withstand high temperatures applied, for example, by straightening irons and other heat applications. In addition, while the body 2 is shown solid in the drawings, in other embodiments (not shown) at least part of the body is perforated to facilitate heat penetration through the wound hair.

In one embodiment of the invention, the hair is heated by blowing heated air onto the wound filaments of hair using, for example, a hair dryer, blow dryer, heat cap or hair diffuser. The filaments 16 of hair are preferably wet prior to this step and dried by the application of heated air. However, it will be appreciated that the wound hair may be dry before being heated by the blown air.

In another embodiment, a heating device having a pair of opposable heating plates is used to apply heat to the wound filaments of hair. Advantageously, any one of a straightening iron, tongs, a styling iron, a crimping iron, metal tongs, a metal styling iron, a metal crimping iron, a ceramic straightening iron, ceramic tongs, a ceramic styling iron or a ceramic crimping iron may be used. To set the hair, the user holds the heating device, shown in figure 12 as a straightening iron 18, and positions the heating plates on opposite sides of the wound filaments 16 of hair. Inwardly directed squeezing pressure is then applied to bring the plates into direct heating engagement with the wound hair. The substantially planar configuration of the device 1 advantageously facilitates the application of the straightening iron to the wound hair via clamped insertion of the device and hair between the heating plates of the straightening iron. Heat is typically applied to the hair for between 3 and 5 seconds. In this case, the filaments 16 of hair are usually dry before heating. After heating, the squeezing pressure is simply relaxed, thereby allowing the plates to disengage from the wound filaments of hair. The hair is allowed to cool, typically for between 5 and 45 minutes, before the hair is unwound from the device and styled or dressed as required. This advantageously creates a curl or wave in the hair that will bring life to dull and flat, or frizzy hair.

Another technique for setting the hair includes the use of a setting solution (not shown), which may be either chemically or non-chemically based. It will be appreciated that the hair shaping device 1 may be formed from a material suitable for use with the solution used. Such setting solutions may be used to either permanently or semipermanently shape the hair. While different setting solutions have different methods of application, an example application technique has been described below. It will be appreciated that the step of setting the hair will depend upon the particular solution used.

In one example, a chemical solution is applied to wet, freshly washed hair, which is then wound around the body of the device. The chemical solution is left in the hair to process before being rinsed off thoroughly and a setting solution applied to the hair. This setting solution may be the same chemical solution or a different solution. The setting solution is allowed to set for between 10 and 30 minutes, for example, before the hair is rinsed and the hair shaping device is removed from the hair. Once the hair has been unwound from the device 1, the hair is re-rinsed and then dried and dressed as required.

As shown in figures 13 to 15, multiple hair shaping devices 1 may be used to form shaped curls through a person's hair by repeating the shaping method. Different hairstyles can be created by winding the filaments of hair in different directions around the body of the device relative to the head. For example, the hair may be wound up the device or down the device relative to the head.

The orientation of the device relative to the head influences the angle of projection of the filaments from the skin and can change the appearance of the curl produced. Figure 13 shows a number of devices 1 positioned in a vertical orientation relative to a head in the anatomical position. This typically creates shaped curls having low or minimum body. Figure 14 shows a number of devices 1 positioned in a horizontal orientation relative to a head in the anatomical position. This orientation typically creates shaped curls having maximum body. Figure 15 shows a number of devices 1 positioned in a diagonal orientation relative to a head in the anatomical position. This typically creates shaped curls having medium body.

In figures 13 to 15, the entire length of hair has been wound around the device. However, it will be appreciated that only part of the hair may be wound, for instance, from the roots to the middle of the hair or from the tips to the middle of the hair. In other examples, most of the length of hair is wound around the body, with just the tips of the hair left unwound, as shown in figure 1 1. This style is typically referred to as ends out. Alternatively, the hair may be wound around the device with the ends in, that is, where the tips of the hair are wound around the device.

The hair shaping device 1 may be used to shape dry hair in conjunction with any one of: straightening irons in all sizes; tongs in all sizes; styling irons in all sizes; crimping irons in all sizes; metal tongs in all sizes; metal styling irons in all sizes; metal crimping irons in all sizes; ceramic straightening irons in all sizes; ceramic tongs in all sizes; ceramic styling irons in all sizes; ceramic crimping irons in all sizes; foil; perm papers; material; styling products; paper.

The hair shaping device may be used to shape wet hair in conjunction with any one of: blow dryers in all sizes; diffusers in all sizes; perm papers; material; styling products; paper.

The device may advantageously be used with either a chemical or non-chemical solution for any one of the following applications. The device may be used for similar applications as a roller, permanent wave roller, semi-permanent wave roller or perming roller. The device and method may be used for permanent waving, adding permanent movement to hair, adding texture to hair, creating shape in hair, creating curls in hair, adding body to hair, or for changing the surface of the hair. The hair shaping device and method may be used in combination with any one of the following hair styling items: colouring foils, perm papers, materials, styling products, and paper.

It will be appreciated that the formation of the hair into shaped curls may be permanent, semi-permanent or temporary, depending upon the hair styling process applied to set the hair into shape.

The invention in at least one preferred embodiment provides a simple, reliable and consistent method of creating shaped curls in a relatively time efficient manner.

Curls and waves produced by the invention are advantageously consistent in shape and configuration. The application of the device and method according to at least one embodiment of the invention reduces the degree of difficulty in creating a shaped curl for both consumers and hairdressers. The invention is advantageously suitable for use with heating implements such as straightening irons. In these respects, the invention represents a practical and commercially significant improvement over the prior art.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth.

However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives

"first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

In the claims below and the description herein, any one of the terms comprising, comprised of or which comprises is an open term that means including at least the elements/features that follow, but not excluding others. Thus, the term comprising, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to the means or elements or steps listed thereafter. For example, the scope of the expression a device comprising A and B should not be limited to devices consisting only of elements A and B. Any one of the terms including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.